European Rugby Thread

[sockwithaticket]

Maintaining possession and scoring in the face of that monstrous defensive set is really impressive.

[Torquemada 1420]

Despite scoring, Exeter really look like one trick ponies and if you can match them physically, they seem bereft of ideas.

[Torquemada 1420]

If they were so desperate for the try, why take just the 3 before 1/2 time?

[Torquemada 1420]

Just don't see what Galthie sees in Verhaeghe. He always underwhelms me.

[sockwithaticket]

Not the first time Reinach's done that to Exeter.

[Torquemada 1420]

Exeter's clear out players do seem to come in from everywhere bar behind.

[Torquemada 1420]

Not the first time Reinach's done that to Exeter.

Just hurt the Sweaties more than Exeter!

[Torquemada 1420]

The irony of this farcical Euro season is the only Fre club not to qualify will be the one who put in the most effort and deserved to be there: Castres!

[sockwithaticket]

The irony of this farcical Euro season is the only Fre club not to qualify will be the one who put in the most effort and deserved to be there: Castres!

Eh. Like most, their efforts were mixed. They spent almost all of their round 2 game looking like they resented being asked to play a game.

[Torquemada 1420]

The irony of this farcical Euro season is the only Fre club not to qualify will be the one who put in the most effort and deserved to be there: Castres!

Eh. Like most, their efforts were mixed. They spent almost all of their round 2 game looking like they resented being asked to play a game.

They were only narrowly beaten in every game. Unlike MH or Toulouse. No-one said they played pretty.

[sockwithaticket]

The irony of this farcical Euro season is the only Fre club not to qualify will be the one who put in the most effort and deserved to be there: Castres!

Eh. Like most, their efforts were mixed. They spent almost all of their round 2 game looking like they resented being asked to play a game.

They were only narrowly beaten in every game. Unlike MH or Toulouse. No-one said they played pretty.

Margin of victory doesn't tell the whole story though. They were really trying against Quins, they very clearly weren't in round 2. They salvaged a losing bonus despite themselves.

[JM2K6]

Fuck me the breakdowns have turned into an absolute mess.

[iarmhí]

That draw is class.

Home and away legs as well.

[Torquemada 1420]

Fuck me the breakdowns have turned into an absolute mess.

Yup. Like I said ^^^, seemed like players being allowed to enter from anywhere to clear out. Esp Exeter.

[Torquemada 1420]

Adamson has come in for severe criticism for what looked like a real piece of homer reffing.









https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/news/en ... ar-AAT22pD

The referee who will take charge of the England v Wales match in the Six Nations in February is under heavy fire after his "shocking" handling of a big European tie.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... -1.4783856

Castres suffered what in polite circles might be described ‘as the rough edge of the officiating’ especially in the last 10 minutes that included several calls that went against them.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/its-frig ... s-referee/

'It's frightening that the same official is doing England v Wales'

[SaintK]

Adamson has come in for severe criticism for what looked like a real piece of homer reffing.




He was absolute garbage again. He was almost as bad in the AI's and the thought him reffing the England v Wales match is extremely worrying

[Torquemada 1420]

He was absolute garbage again. He was almost as bad in the AI's and the thought him reffing the England v Wales match is extremely worrying

O'Sullivan is spot on. His reward for an absolute disgrace of a performance (he might even have outdone Brace's efforts) is to get 2 games in the 6N.

[sockwithaticket]

Botica is loving that the focus seems to be squarely on Adamson rather than his leaving enough points on the field to have secured a comfortable win for Castres.

I don't think he's a particularly good ref, but over the course of the 80 he's crap for both teams and in this instance Castres' destiny was entirely in their own hands.

Journos are going overboard because its an easy tweet.

[Slick]

He was absolute garbage again. He was almost as bad in the AI's and the thought him reffing the England v Wales match is extremely worrying

O'Sullivan is spot on. His reward for an absolute disgrace of a performance (he might even have outdone Brace's efforts) is to get 2 games in the 6N.

Wasn't he awarded the 6N matches well before this match?

[Torquemada 1420]

Botica is loving that the focus seems to be squarely on Adamson rather than his leaving enough points on the field to have secured a comfortable win for Castres.

I don't think he's a particularly good ref, but over the course of the 80 he's crap for both teams and in this instance Castres' destiny was entirely in their own hands.

Journos are going overboard because its an easy tweet.

Normally, I am in the camp that says if you contributed to your own downfall, then you can't have any complaints. And TBF to Castres, Worsley made little of Adamson and highlighted that his side left too many points on the field. Nonetheless, rugby is a professional game now where serious money is at stake and, potentially, people's careers. I think in that context, it's entirely right to address such gross ineptitude. Wasn't he the ref that Dave Rennie got into hot water for criticising?

I think we can be pretty sure what Eng supporters' reactions would be had this been Eng v Wal and Farrell had missed all his kicks but the game was decided in the same way.......

[Torquemada 1420]

He was absolute garbage again. He was almost as bad in the AI's and the thought him reffing the England v Wales match is extremely worrying

O'Sullivan is spot on. His reward for an absolute disgrace of a performance (he might even have outdone Brace's efforts) is to get 2 games in the 6N.

Wasn't he awarded the 6N matches well before this match?

Probably. You think he should keep the appointments?

[sockwithaticket]

Botica is loving that the focus seems to be squarely on Adamson rather than his leaving enough points on the field to have secured a comfortable win for Castres.

I don't think he's a particularly good ref, but over the course of the 80 he's crap for both teams and in this instance Castres' destiny was entirely in their own hands.

Journos are going overboard because its an easy tweet.

Normally, I am in the camp that says if you contributed to your own downfall, then you can't have any complaints. And TBF to Castres, Worsley made little of Adamson and highlighted that his side left too many points on the field. Nonetheless, rugby is a professional game now where serious money is at stake and, potentially, people's careers. I think in that context, it's entirely right to address such gross ineptitude. Wasn't he the ref that Dave Rennie got into hot water for criticising?

I think we can be pretty sure what Eng supporters' reactions would be had this been Eng v Wal and Farrell had missed all his kicks but the game was decided in the same way.......

Definitely wouldn't be happy, but if we'd had the point scoring opportunities to win and squandered them without it being the ref's fault, for which there's limited capacity when it comes to kicks, then there's nowhere to look but the team/a specific player. Did Castres not have anyone else who could goal kick? If Farrell missed that many, I'd be wondering why we didn't turn the duties over to Smith or Slade, since off days where he barely gets anything have occurred before and we should be arresting the situation rather than letting it unfold.

Adamson definitely isn't an international ref, few of the URC ones are, but, unfortunately the pool of top flight refs is small and so these people end up being used.

[Lobby]

Botica is loving that the focus seems to be squarely on Adamson rather than his leaving enough points on the field to have secured a comfortable win for Castres.

I don't think he's a particularly good ref, but over the course of the 80 he's crap for both teams and in this instance Castres' destiny was entirely in their own hands.

Journos are going overboard because its an easy tweet.

Normally, I go absolutely mental when a referee makes even the slightest error in a match involving French teams that I think has disadvantaged the French team, and will ignore any earlier decisions that may have advantaged the French team.

Fixed that for you.

[Slick]

O'Sullivan is spot on. His reward for an absolute disgrace of a performance (he might even have outdone Brace's efforts) is to get 2 games in the 6N.

Wasn't he awarded the 6N matches well before this match?

Probably. You think he should keep the appointments?

Dunno. But O'Sullivan couldn't be more wrong in his tweet that you used as an example and agreed with.

[Torquemada 1420]

Botica is loving that the focus seems to be squarely on Adamson rather than his leaving enough points on the field to have secured a comfortable win for Castres.

I don't think he's a particularly good ref, but over the course of the 80 he's crap for both teams and in this instance Castres' destiny was entirely in their own hands.

Journos are going overboard because its an easy tweet.

Normally, I go absolutely mental when a referee makes even the slightest error in a match involving French teams that I think has disadvantaged the French team, and will ignore any earlier decisions that may have advantaged the French team.

Fixed that for you.

Well done. Did you pass CSE Engurrrlishh? Just asking.

[Torquemada 1420]

I hadn't even realised the final 16 was going to be done over 2 legs:


Like the season isn't already congested enough. Also, I know this bit is random, but the number of matches involving same nation teams makes it even duller.

[ASMO]

My picks are:-

Racing
Bordeaux
Toulouse
Quins
Leicester
Leinster
Exeter
Bristol

[JM2K6]

There's absolutely no doubt that if the roles were reversed and I was a Castres supporter, or if the match was mirrored and Quins/Castres had their actions and decisions swapped around, I would be absolutely seething about Adamson's performance. As it is, I can say we got lucky as the majority of his shithouse decisions benefited us, but there were some big calls that did not (especially the penalty try before the injury time farce). The fact is lots of people are claiming conspiracy, but I think we've seen enough of the guy before to claim ineptitude. It just benefited my team this time.

[robmatic]

I hadn't even realised the final 16 was going to be done over 2 legs:


Like the season isn't already congested enough. Also, I know this bit is random, but the number of matches involving same nation teams makes it even duller.

Imagine the excitement as Leinster play Connacht for the 4th time this season.

Meanwhile, in the Challenge Cup we have to wait another 6 weeks before we finish the pool stage.

[Torquemada 1420]

My picks are:-

Racing
Bordeaux
Toulouse
Quins
Leicester
Leinster
Exeter
Bristol

Being 2 legs makes it harder to pick. Also, we have no idea of players (injuries, covid etc)
- even the "dead cert" of Racing is not because the Paris derbies are always tighter than would be expected
- agree on UBB over LaR but even there, an injury to Jalibert leaves UBB with Tin-Duck and then FH becomes a cripple fight for both teams
- Toulouse. Not on current form!
- Actually, IF MH decide they want to compete, they are just the sort of side who might simply beat Quins up whilst playing no rugby
- ASM would need to turn their entire season around to challenge Leicester
- Leinster will bury Connacht
- Which Exeter and which Munster will turn up?
- Really hope Bears win for the sake of rugby. Can you imagine a MH v Sale tie? Might as well make it a Currie cup match.

[Torquemada 1420]

There's absolutely no doubt that if the roles were reversed and I was a Castres supporter, or if the match was mirrored and Quins/Castres had their actions and decisions swapped around, I would be absolutely seething about Adamson's performance. As it is, I can say we got lucky as the majority of his shithouse decisions benefited us, but there were some big calls that did not (especially the penalty try before the injury time farce). The fact is lots of people are claiming conspiracy, but I think we've seen enough of the guy before to claim ineptitude. It just benefited my team this time.

Entirely agree. He's clueless and needs to be dropped from officiating professional games.

[Slick]

There's absolutely no doubt that if the roles were reversed and I was a Castres supporter, or if the match was mirrored and Quins/Castres had their actions and decisions swapped around, I would be absolutely seething about Adamson's performance. As it is, I can say we got lucky as the majority of his shithouse decisions benefited us, but there were some big calls that did not (especially the penalty try before the injury time farce). The fact is lots of people are claiming conspiracy, but I think we've seen enough of the guy before to claim ineptitude. It just benefited my team this time.

Entirely agree. He's clueless and needs to be dropped from officiating professional games.

Yup. Inept at this level I can go with, conspiracy is just mental.

[Torquemada 1420]

There's absolutely no doubt that if the roles were reversed and I was a Castres supporter, or if the match was mirrored and Quins/Castres had their actions and decisions swapped around, I would be absolutely seething about Adamson's performance. As it is, I can say we got lucky as the majority of his shithouse decisions benefited us, but there were some big calls that did not (especially the penalty try before the injury time farce). The fact is lots of people are claiming conspiracy, but I think we've seen enough of the guy before to claim ineptitude. It just benefited my team this time.

Entirely agree. He's clueless and needs to be dropped from officiating professional games.

Yup. Inept at this level I can go with, conspiracy is just mental.

Not least because the definition of a conspiracy requires 2 or more people! Only really Adamson to blame here. Doesn't rule out the possibility (which I am not supporting) that he is a cheat.

[earl the beaver]

Botica is loving that the focus seems to be squarely on Adamson rather than his leaving enough points on the field to have secured a comfortable win for Castres.

I don't think he's a particularly good ref, but over the course of the 80 he's crap for both teams and in this instance Castres' destiny was entirely in their own hands.

Journos are going overboard because its an easy tweet.

I think most (non-Harlequins) fans would say his decisions definitely favoured Quins and Quins won, yes Castres should have won if they kicked their points but that doesn't excuse from Adamson's howlers.

[sockwithaticket]

I hadn't even realised the final 16 was going to be done over 2 legs:


Like the season isn't already congested enough. Also, I know this bit is random, but the number of matches involving same nation teams makes it even duller.

Imagine the excitement as Leinster play Connacht for the 4th time this season.

Meanwhile, in the Challenge Cup we have to wait another 6 weeks before we finish the pool stage.

Similarly another Bristol - Sale game doesn't set the pulse racing as a Prem viewer.

[sockwithaticket]

Botica is loving that the focus seems to be squarely on Adamson rather than his leaving enough points on the field to have secured a comfortable win for Castres.

I don't think he's a particularly good ref, but over the course of the 80 he's crap for both teams and in this instance Castres' destiny was entirely in their own hands.

Journos are going overboard because its an easy tweet.

I think most (non-Harlequins) fans would say his decisions definitely favoured Quins and Quins won, yes Castres should have won if they kicked their points but that doesn't excuse from Adamson's howlers.

Not a Quins fan and I think that his performance is being viewed through a prism of the final 10 rather than the whole game. That final 10 definitely favoured Quins, but it wasn't particularly the case over the other 70 minutes.

[fishfoodie]

Have Wasps released any update on Thomas Young's condition ?

[sockwithaticket]

Have Wasps released any update on Thomas Young's condition ?

https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/thomas-you ... ry-update/

Wasps can confirm that following an injury sustained in yesterday’s Heineken Champions Cup game, Thomas Young spent the night at the University Hospital Limerick.

After a series of scans last night and this morning he has now been discharged from hospital and will therefore be able to fly home with the Club’s Head of Medical Services later today.

We would like to thank all at Munster Rugby and University Hospital Limerick for their care and support, as well as those within the rugby community who have reached out.

[Torquemada 1420]

Have Wasps released any update on Thomas Young's condition ?

https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/thomas-you ... ry-update/

Wasps can confirm that following an injury sustained in yesterday’s Heineken Champions Cup game, Thomas Young spent the night at the University Hospital Limerick.

After a series of scans last night and this morning he has now been discharged from hospital and will therefore be able to fly home with the Club’s Head of Medical Services later today.

We would like to thank all at Munster Rugby and University Hospital Limerick for their care and support, as well as those within the rugby community who have reached out.

[ASMO]

I hadn't even realised the final 16 was going to be done over 2 legs:


Like the season isn't already congested enough. Also, I know this bit is random, but the number of matches involving same nation teams makes it even duller.

Imagine the excitement as Leinster play Connacht for the 4th time this season.

Meanwhile, in the Challenge Cup we have to wait another 6 weeks before we finish the pool stage.

Similarly another Bristol - Sale game doesn't set the pulse racing as a Prem viewer.

Bristol finding a bit of their mojo now and their pack is hardly powder puff so should at least give them par up front. Randall v Quirke should be worth the entrance fee alone.